Webb was born in 1839 in Calcutta, India, the son of Allan Webb, a surgeon in the Bengal Army who later became a professor of anatomy at the Calcutta Medical College and built a pathological museum of physical specimens for medical pedagogy.[2] Allan Webb was baptised on 17 November 1839 in India.[3] He was educated at Rugby School and subsequently at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, becoming a fellow and tutor at University College (1863–1868). From 1864 to 1867 he was vice principal at Cuddesdon Theological College. He married Elizabeth, the sister of hymn-writer George Hugh Bourne, who served as his chaplain (1879–1898).[4] They had three children: Cyprian, Charles (The Rev. Charles Johnstone Bourne Webb, 1874–1963), and a daughter, who died young and is commemorated in the window to Webb in the north choir transept of Salisbury Cathedral.
Webb's first posting was as rector of Avon Dassett.
In June 1901, Webb became dean of Salisbury,[8] where he died in 1907. A set of three stained glass windows in Salisbury Cathedral were dedicated to his memory.[9]
Role in creation of sisterhoods
Webb was one of the first Anglican bishops to support and nurture corporate women's work in the church through the formation of sisterhoods:[10] The Community of St Michael and All Angels in Bloemfontein and Kimberley (a foremost member being Sister Henrietta); and the Community of the Resurrection of our Lord and St Peter's Home in Grahamstown (under the leadership of Mother Cecile)[9]
